Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Uttermaste, Utermast, adj. (n.). Also: ut(t)ermaist, -mest, uttermeist, ut(t)ermost, ut(t)ir-, utyrmest, uthirmaist, wtermast, wttermaist, wter-, wtyrmest, ot(t)ermest. [ME and e.m.E. ottermast (a1325), vttermost (a1390), vttermest (Trevisa), uttermast (1429), vttiremeste (c1440); cf. Outermost adj. and n.]

1. Farthest outlying. Also absol. = Outmost adj. 1, Utmast adj. 2. 1577–95 Skene Celtic Scotl. III 437.
The third and the uttermost wall of tymber and earth 1622-6 Bisset I 156/22.
All maisseris … sall steik thame selfis furth at the uttirmest dur 1632 Lithgow Trav. i 23.
It reacheth to the vttermost bounds of the dutchy of Ferraraabsol. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts i 8.
Ye salbe my witnessis in Jerusalem, and … into the vtermast [P. vtmeste] of the erd

2. Utmost; greatest, highest; most extreme, solemn or binding. = Outmost adj. 2 a, and cf. Utmast adj. 1. 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 42.
To interteine evir the samyn efter our utirmest powir 1550 Reg. Privy C. I 104.
The said sercheouris … salbe haldin to answer for the executioun of the premissis upoun the utermost charge 1554 Dundee B. Ct. II 297 (2 April).
The said … tennement of land to be rowpit & sald to the vtermest awaile to thame that will gyf maist for the samyn

3. absol. a. At or (on)to the uttermast, to the utmost, to the very limit (freq., of my, etc. power(is)). = Outmost adj. 2 b, Ut(t)erest adj. 2. b. The most extreme or desperate course. c. The very most, the greatest amount.a. 1513 Doug. v iv 122.
And pynglys hir [sc. the ship] onto the vtyrmest [Sm. vtirmest, Ruddim. vttermest] 1528 Douglas Corr. 131.
Quhilk I salbe about to acquyt at the utermest of my powere 1544 Aberd. B. Rec. I 201.
We … salbe reddy, as forsaid is, at the wttermaist of our powar 1545 Douglas Corr. 160.
Wtermast 1549 Balcarres P. 308.
Utermost 1552 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale I xciii.
We … sall resist the samyn at the uthirmaist of our poweris 1559–60 St. A. Kirk S. 14.
Uttermaste 1564 St. A. Kirk S. 194.
[To] fulfill the ordinance of the superintendent as he sall burdyn tham wyth to the uttermost 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (STS) 401.
Vttermaist c1575 Wemyss Corr. 75.
Your asswrit freind at the vtermast of his powar a1578 Pitsc. I 50/12.
Wtermest 1586 Glasgow Burgesses v.
[I] was myndit to haiff wrocht to the wttermaist in this gud toun 1588 Aberd. Council Lett. I 41.
Uttermeist 1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS III xcvii.
They shall promise … at the uttermost of their power, to … maintaine the true preachers and professors of Christs evangell(b) 1604 Dundee Shipping P. 79.
Otermest 1604 Dundee Shipping P. 79.
Ottermestb. 1513 Doug. ii vi 102.
Gif ȝour desyre be sa fermly prest To follow me dar tak the vtyrmest [Sm. wtyrmest, Ruddim. vttirmest]c. 1630 Glasgow Weavers 70.
That … befoir the said Robert be admittit frieman with craft, he to pay the utermaist as any hes payit of befoir